{"id":10007,"date":"2026-08-08T06:52:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=10007"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:52:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:52:27","slug":"in-2023-and-2024-a-los-angeles-homeless-services-nonprofit-paid-its-hawaii-based-ceo-more-than-1-6-million-including-about-824000-in-unused-vacation-pay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=10007","title":{"rendered":"In 2023 and 2024, a Los Angeles homeless-services nonprofit paid its Hawaii-based CEO more than $1.6 million, including about $824,000 in unused vacation pay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133030770,imgsize-102640,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/money.jpg\" alt=\"In 2023 and 2024, a Los Angeles homeless-services nonprofit paid its Hawaii-based CEO more than $1.6 million, including about $824,000 in unused vacation pay\" title=\"Representative image\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A Southern California nonprofit that operates domestic violence shelters and homelessness programmes paid its chief executive more than $1.6 million over the last two years covered by its public tax filings.<!-- --> The unusually large compensation has drawn questions from nonprofit experts because the CEO, Carol Adelkoff, has maintained a primary residence in Hawaii while leading the Los Angeles-based organisation, according to a report by LA Times.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>Adelkoff is the longtime CEO of 1736 Family Crisis Center, a nonprofit that runs shelters, crisis hotlines and support programmes in Los Angeles and Orange counties. According to federal filings, she received $907,923 in total compensation in 2023 and another $742,181 in 2024, a combined $1.65 million.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"7\"\/>The organisation says the unusually high payments were largely linked to unused vacation time accumulated during Adelkoff\u2019s four decades with the centre, rather than a sudden increase in her regular salary.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"9\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">What the tax filings show<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"11\"\/>The 2023 payment included a $495,000 bonus, which was larger than Adelkoff\u2019s base pay at the time. Her usual annual salary had been approximately $405,000 in recent years, according to her explanation to the Los Angeles Times.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"14\"\/>Adelkoff said the compensation figures did not represent a permanent salary jump. Instead, she said approximately $824,000 of the combined two-year total came from the payout of vacation time accumulated over many years.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>\u201cThe salary didn\u2019t jump like that,\u201d Adelkoff said, explaining that the payments were intended to reduce the organisation\u2019s growing liability for unused leave, reported LA Times.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"18\"\/>Kerry Garvis Wright, an attorney representing 1736 Family Crisis Center, said the board consulted legal and financial advisers before approving the payout. <!-- -->The organisation\u2019s 2024 tax filing is being amended to clarify that $329,243 of Adelkoff\u2019s compensation that year came from vacation distribution.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"22\"\/>Adelkoff has said that she has no further accrued vacation time waiting to be paid out and that her total compensation has since fallen back toward its historical level.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Why experts are questioning the payout<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"26\"\/>Nonprofit compensation is not automatically required to be modest. <!-- -->Leaders of large organisations can receive substantial salaries when they oversee complex operations, manage hundreds of employees or handle significant budgets.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"30\"\/>But federal rules require nonprofit compensation to be \u201creasonable,\u201d generally based on what comparable organisations pay executives performing similar work. That standard has prompted questions in this case because Adelkoff\u2019s compensation was several times higher than the median for leaders of comparable Los Angeles-area nonprofits.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/>The Los Angeles Times compared Adelkoff\u2019s compensation with the pay of executives at 16 other organisations working in domestic violence services, homelessness support and related areas. The median annual compensation among those leaders was approximately $159,737. The next-highest-paid executive in the comparison earned $423,932 in 2024.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/>Other comparisons also showed a significant gap. In 2024, the Weingart Center Association, which reported revenue of about $89 million, paid its CEO $481,271 in base pay and bonuses. <!-- -->In 2023, the CEO of People Assisting the Homeless and its affiliates received approximately $379,000 while overseeing an organisation with reported annual revenue of about $175 million.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"39\"\/>Brian Mittendorf, a nonprofit accounting expert at Ohio State University, questioned whether it was appropriate for one employee to accumulate such a large amount of unused leave before receiving a payout. Laurie Styron, chief executive of CharityWatch, called the arrangement highly unusual.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"42\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">How the vacation accumulated<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"44\"\/>According to Wright, Adelkoff was originally allowed to accrue eight weeks of vacation each year as CEO. That allowance was reduced to four weeks in 2012, but the organisation did not impose the same overall cap on her accumulated leave that it applied to other employees, according to the report.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>The organisation said the demands of Adelkoff\u2019s role made it difficult for her to take time away. <!-- -->She oversaw a growing network of shelters, clinics, hotlines and residential facilities that operated around the clock. Her responsibilities also included fundraising, community events, grant management, staff oversight and emergency service coordination.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"50\"\/>Most California nonprofits, however, place limits on how much vacation employees can carry forward, as per reports. A recent survey cited in the reporting found that 97% of responding California nonprofits capped vacation accrual. <!-- -->A common method is to allow employees to accumulate no more than one and a half times their annual vacation allowance.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"54\"\/>California law prevents employers from using a \u201cuse it or lose it\u201d policy, but organisations can establish reasonable limits on how much leave employees may accumulate. Experts said paying unused vacation when an employee leaves is common, while a payout of this size while the person remains employed is far less typical.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"57\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">A nonprofit funded mostly by public money<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"59\"\/>The compensation issue has attracted additional attention because 1736 Family Crisis Center relies heavily on government funding. The organisation reported about $15 million in annual revenue and said roughly 94% of that money came from government sources, including grants from different levels of government.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"61\"\/>The centre operates approximately 16 facilities across Los Angeles and Orange counties and employs about 170 people. <!-- -->Its services include domestic violence shelters, crisis hotlines, programmes for people experiencing homelessness and support for vulnerable groups such as homeless veterans and teenagers dealing with depression.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>Since 2021, the organisation has received at least $25 million in grants from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which distributes city, county and federal funds for homelessness programmes. <!-- -->That public funding has made executive compensation a matter of interest beyond the organisation\u2019s boardroom.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"69\"\/>The concern is not only how much the CEO was paid, but also whether the board had sufficient systems in place to monitor compensation, vacation liabilities and the use of taxpayer-supported funds.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"71\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Questions about location and oversight<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"73\"\/>Adelkoff has led the 1736 Family Crisis Center since 1984. She has overseen the organisation while her primary residence has been listed on Hawaii\u2019s Big Island for at least 11 years, according to property records cited in the reporting.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"76\"\/>The nonprofit\u2019s attorney said the board asked Adelkoff to remain CEO after she moved away from California and believes the organisation has flourished under her leadership. Adelkoff has not confirmed her state of residence, saying that the organisation\u2019s work with survivors of domestic violence creates security concerns.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"78\"\/>Some nonprofit leaders and experts questioned whether living thousands of miles from the organisation could create operational challenges. <!-- -->While portions of a CEO\u2019s work can be done remotely, shelter visits, fundraising events, staff meetings and direct contact with clients often require an on-site presence.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"82\"\/>The centre\u2019s latest filing states that Adelkoff works an average of 70 hours a week. However, the organisation has not publicly detailed how often she travels to Southern California or whether the centre covers those travel costs.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"84\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">The role of the board<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"86\"\/>Nonprofit boards are responsible for supervising the CEO and approving executive compensation. <!-- -->In its federal filings, 1736 Family Crisis Center said it reviewed compensation at comparable organisations when setting Adelkoff\u2019s salary. But the organisation did not identify those comparisons, and board members did not provide meeting minutes or compensation data when asked.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"90\"\/>The board\u2019s long-standing structure has also drawn scrutiny. Several members, including board president Ron Troupe, have served for many years. <!-- -->Experts say long-term service can provide valuable institutional knowledge, but it can also weaken independence if board members become too closely connected to management.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"94\"\/>Troupe has also received compensation from the nonprofit despite serving as a board member rather than a regular employee. Tax filings show that he has been paid between $30,000 and $97,500 annually since 2005. Nonprofit governance experts say most boards are made up of volunteers, and paying a board member can create a potential conflict when that person is involved in overseeing the CEO.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"98\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">What happens next<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"100\"\/>The organisation says Adelkoff\u2019s vacation liability has now been settled and that her future compensation will reflect her regular historical salary. The latest tax filing available to the public covers 2024, meaning more information about subsequent compensation will not be available until future filings are released.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"102\"\/>The controversy does not erase the centre\u2019s four decades of work or the services it provides to people escaping domestic violence and homelessness. But it does raise broader questions about transparency, board independence and what counts as reasonable compensation when a nonprofit relies heavily on public funds.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"104\"\/>For donors, taxpayers and the people who depend on these services, the issue is ultimately about accountability: whether every major financial decision is documented, independently reviewed and clearly explained.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/us\/in-2023-and-2024-a-los-angeles-homeless-services-nonprofit-paid-its-hawaii-based-ceo-more-than-1-6-million-including-about-824000-in-unused-vacation-pay\/articleshow\/133030715.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Southern California nonprofit that operates domestic violence shelters and homelessness programmes paid its chief executive more than $1.6 million over the last two years covered by its public tax filings. The unusually large compensation has drawn questions from nonprofit experts because the CEO, Carol Adelkoff, has maintained a primary residence in Hawaii while leading [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"A Southern California nonprofit that operates domestic violence shelters and homelessness programmes paid its chief executive more than $1.6 million over the last two years covered by its public tax filings. The unusually large compensation has drawn questions from nonprofit experts because the CEO, Carol Adelkoff, has maintained a primary residence in Hawaii while leading [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":4,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":7,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/money.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10007\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}